First introduced in 1917 by D.L. Clark Company, the Clark Bar has a fabled role in American Candy history.   Its iconic red and white wrapper brought consistent jot to candy lovers for 101 years. Then, the product disappeared from the shelves.  Manufactured by NECCO who went bankrupt in 2018, this was amongst the many classic retro products that disappeared overnight. Let's say that 2018 wasn't a watershed year for the candy industry.
In 2020, a rumor started spreading that a company called Boyer purchased the formula for Clark Bars.  Anticipation mounted….
On Valentine's Day, these all but impossible to find candy bars reappeared on shelves in select candy stores throughout Western Pennsylvania, where the candy bar was invented. Â It was a win for Pittsburgh, where we are located, and for candy lovers worldwide.
The new Boyer Clark Bars have a different formula than the original ones. The center is more consistent and not as flakey but the delightful combination of milk chocolate and peanut butter remains. The verdict remains to be decided as to whether the new recipe is better than the old. Still, they do taste different, and that is not indicative of them being stale or defective.
Over 102 years, everything changes, and that applies to candy. The good news is that the future generation of candy lovers will enjoy candy that brought joy to their parents and grandparents. Yes, it does taste different, but it is still one of the best tasting, and hardest to find, candy bars available.